Luxembourg, Duchy. A Merit Order of Adolphe of Nassau, Grand Cross Set, Civil Division, c. 1948

(Ordre de Mérite civil et militaire d’Adolphe de Nassau). Instituted May 8th, 1858. (c. 1948 issue). A fine example of a Merit Order of Adolphe of Nassau, Grand Cross Set, consisting of:

1. The Breast Star. An eight-pointed radian silver star with a circular central white enameled medallion bearing the crowned Royal cypher of Duke Adolphe of Nassau, surrounded by a blue ring of enamels depicting laurels and the motto “Virtute” in capitalized lettering in Gold, the reverse is plain with a tall barrel hinge, banjo-style vertical pinback, and broad rightward-opening catch with the addition of two downward-sloping stabilizer pins for secure attachment to a uniform, unmarked, measuring 74.5 mm (w) x 74.4 mm (l), weighing 58.00 grams.

2. The Sash Badge. A silver gilt Maltese Cross with white enameled arms and dual gilded ball finials, the obverse with a circular central white enameled medallion bearing the crowned Royal cypher of Duke Adolphe of Nassau, surrounded by a blue ring of enamels depicting laurels and the motto “Virtute” in capitalized lettering in Gold, the reverse with a larger central medallion in white enamel dated “1292 - 1858” in gilt, suspended from a partially hollow silver gilt Royal Crown using its period original and full length sash ribbon, unmarked, measuring 66.9 mm (w) x 71.9 mm (l), weighing 100.74 grams.

A fine example of this award, with only very slight loss of its gilt finish, along with only very minor contact marks in the enamels from age and wear, in overall better than extremely fine condition.